Man held for trial in coercion case

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A former Gardnerville resident who evaded attempts to arrest him for six months was bound over for trial on charges of failure to appear, being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a sawed off shotgun and coercion.

David Gomez, 32, appeared in Douglas County District Court on Tuesday for a continued arraignment, where District Judge Tod Young set a June 24 hearing date for the arraignment to coincide with the arraignment set Friday by Justice of the Peace Tom Perkins after a preliminary hearing.

Charges were dismissed against Gomez’s sister Juana, who was accused of harboring Gomez at her Ruhenstroth home.

Under a deal with prosecutors, Juana Gomez will testify truthfully in any proceedings involving her brother.

Officers raided the Gomez property after receiving a tip that Gomez was hiding in an outbuilding.

A Washoe Tribal Police sergeant who participated in the search testified he found a sawed-off shotgun, a handgun and video cameras set up around a trailer.

There was still smoke coming from a stove inside the trailer when officers arrived at the scene.

Gomez’s most recent troubles started in May 2013 when he ran from officers trying to serve an arrest warrant for probation violation.

He was taken into custody with 27.9 grams of methamphetamine, empty plastic bags, a switchblade, a pay notebook and $457 cash.

He had been out of prison for six months when that arrest occurred. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 1, 2013, on the drug charges. He came to the courthouse where he signed a plea agreement, but just before he was due to appear, he said he had a family emergency and left.

Had Gomez remained in court he faced 5-20 years in prison. He is facing a habitual felon enhancement should he be convicted of the original charges.